Lifter for rolls and the like



March 11, 1958 c. R. TIDLAND LIFTER FOR ROLLS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 30, 1956 m T w m N 9 I 1 3 Q ,0 I l\/ 5 1 w a /7 W w 2 \1\ 7 3 Ii\ 1\ H[ X a a w B L 9 O I 7% 3M%W m l 2 dm 5|! w ATTORNEY C. R. TIDLAND LIFTER FOR ROLLS AND THE LIKE I March 11, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 30, 1956 INVENTOR.

CHARLES ROBERT TIDLAND BY ATTORNEY United States Patent LIFTER FOR ROLLS AND THE LIKE Charles Robert Tidland, Camas, Wash.

Application January 30, 1956, Serial No. 562,183

4 Claims. (Cl. 294-93) This invention relates to means for lifting articles having a hollow core, such as heavy rolls in which a hollow core extends through the roll, and relates in particular to the lifting and moving of heavy rolls of paper.

It is customary for paper, as it is manufactured on paper machines, either to be wound on hollow cores of cardboard or the like, or else to be wound on expanded shafts which are subsequently contracted and slipped out of the finished roll of paper. In either case the finished roll of paper will have an open core channel extending axially through the roll.

In the handling of large rolls of paper, the lifting and moving of the rolls has long presented a problem since damage to the surface of the roll, which so often occurs, may necessitate the discarding of a considerable amount of paper from the roll.

In the mills and warehouses the rolls of paper are generally stood on end and the moving of the individual rolls, except in the case of exceedingly large rolls, is usually done by hand trucks or by lift trucks provided with fork lifts. However, unless exceptional care is taken in the moving of a roll by such means the roll will often become damaged as for example by the squeezing of the outer surface of the roll by the mechanical roll grip which picks up the roll. Similar roll damage is likely to occur when the rolls are placed on individually movable platforms, or so-called pallet boards, which, in turn, are then moved by lift trucks, or, in the case of very large rolls, by various other hoisting and moving means.

An object of the present invention is to provide a roll holding and lifting means which can easily and satisfactorily be employed without danger of any damage to the roll regardless of the roll size.

A further object of the invention is to provide roll holding and lifting means which can be inserted into the axial core of a roll and then temporarily made sufficiently secure therein so that such means will serve as the medium by which the roll can be handled, and which means in turn can be connected to any suitable device, such as an overhead pulley and cable for example, to enable the roll to be raised and moved easily.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved gripping and holding means for a roll by which the roll can be lifted but which will have its actual contact with the roll restricted to the inside of the roll core and thus dispense with any necessity for contact with any outside portion of the roll.

An additional object of the invention is to provide practical and simple roll holding and lifting means which will be easy to operate and which will enable a considerable saving in time and effort to be effected in the moving of paper rolls, and also which will not be expensive to manufacture or involve any maintenance problems.

These objects and other incidental advantages are attained by providing a roll lifter of such construction, form, and size that it can be inserted into one end of the roll core and caused to grip the roll firmly from the inside of the core, and, in general, by constructing and employ- 2,825,445 Patented Mar. 11, 1958 ICC ing such roll lifter as hereinafter briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the roll lifter showing the same in normal or retracted position;

Figure 2 is a plan section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, but drawn to a larger scale;

Figure 3 is a similar plan section corresponding to line 2-2 of Figure 1, but illustrating the roll lifter when ex panded into gripping contact with a roll core (the roll core and roll being omitted from the figure);

Figure 4 is an elevation of the roll lifter, drawn to a smaller scale, showing the lifter in position in a core roll;

Figure 5 is a plan section taken on line 5--5 of Figures 1 and 4, drawn to the same scale as Figure 1; and

Figure 6 illustrates the device being used for the lifting of a roll of paper.

Referring to Figures 1-3, inclusive, the lifter includes a main cylindrical body portion 10, the length of which preferably is from one-third to one-half the length of the rolls in which the lifter is to be used. The outside diameter of this cylindrical body portion 10 is considerably less than the inside diameter of the cores of the rolls. The lower or inner end of the cylindrical body 10 is closed by an end portion 11 which is shaped substantially as shown in Figure l and which is secured to the cylindrical body portion 10 by set screws 12. A head or outer end portion 13 is secured to the opposite end of the cylindrical body 10, preferably by welding, and this upper end portion 13 is also made substantially as shown in Figure 1.

Within the cylindrical body It) a plurality of identical longitudinal segments 15 extend for substantially the entire distance between the two end portions 11 and 13. In the device as illustrated there are four of these longitudinal segments 15 and, since these segments correspond to identical separate portions of a cylindrical shell of smaller diameter than the body iii, but co-axial with such body, the arcuate width of each segment, as illustrated, corresponds to approximately However, the number of these identical longitudinal segments may be increased for roll lifters of different diameter.

A corresponding number of longitudinal segments are located on the outside of the body 1i)v and these outer segments 16 similarly constitute segments of a cylindrical shell of larger diameter than the body 10 and are in radial alignment with the corresponding inside longitudinal seg ments 15. Each inside segment 15 is spaced from the corresponding outside segment 16 by a distance greater than the wall thickness of the body 10, and each pair of inside and outside segments are connected by a series of central, longitudinally aligned screws or rivets 13 which pass through spacer sleeves 19. Radially extending openings 20 are provided in the body 10 for the spacer sleeves 19 which are slidable in these openings. a

An inflatable tube 21 of rubber or other suitable resilient flexible and stretchable material, is located with- .in the main body it) and placed inside the inner segments 15, and this flexible tube extends for substantially the entire length of the body 16, The lower or inner end of this tube 21 is secured Within a block 22 by .a frustoconical plug 23 which holds the end of the tube firmly clamped between the plug and the surrounding tapered wall portion of a channel 22 in the block 22. The plug 23 has a threaded stem which extends beyond the block 22, and a nut 24 on the threaded stem of the plug holds the plug 23, and therewith the end of the tube 21, firmly clamped in the block 22 T he end portion 11 on the main body 10 is formed with a recess 25 for containing the block 22.

The opposite or upper end of the tube 21 is similarly clamped to a block 26 by means of a clamping member 27 and a clamping nut 28. A set screw 14 holds the through the passageway 29. An air block 26 against rotation. An axial passageway 29 extends through the head or upper end portion 13 of the body and is widened at its inner end to receive the block 26- h amp ns me ber 2 a e c n r l ghangs ,39;

and a tubular exte ion v31, the lattere to the air valve on an ordinary vehicle tire, is secured in the outer end ofthetubular extension 31. v I, v

A From the description thus far it willbe. apparent that inflation of the tube 21, which is icbdmplishedbycqm nesting anysource of compressed air with the valve 32,

,will cause the tube 21 to thrustthe segments 15, and with hemth miter ent .1 radi y outward y nd hus increase the overall size or outside diam er of the lifter assembly, this eiipanded form of the as inbly beingillustrated in Figure 3,; and subsequent deflation of the tube. 21, which produced by opening the valveSgZ, will in turn enable the outer Segmen s 1 6, and withthem the inner, segments 15,, to be manuall pushed back intothe normal retracted position of Figures 1 and 2 It would, ofcourse, also vbe possible to produceexpansionofthe tube 21hydraulically by introducing Water or othe liquid under pressure into the tube 21 instead of compressed alr.

, The head or upper end portion 13 of the main body hasan annular groove 33 which rotatably carries a swivel ring 34. A threaded retaining collar 35, mounted on thetop end of the head 13, holds the swivel ring 34 in place on the head 13. The swivel ring 34 is formed with a pair of diametrically opposite lugs 36 extending radially outwardl and on these lugs a handle orhoisting shackle 37 is pivotally mounted. A thrust washer 38 is interposed between the swivel ring 34 and the retaining collar 35. An annular flange member 39 is welded on the end of the main cylindrical body and limits the extent to which the roll lifter can be inserted in the core of the roll to be moved. r i

The manner in which the lifter is employed in the lifting and moving of a heavy roll of paper is illustrated in Figures 4 and 6. The lifter, with the external longitudinal segments 16 in retractedposition, is inserted down into the core of the roll. The paper in the roll 41 in Figure 4 is shown as being woundon a cardboard core 42, the interior diameter of the core being somewhat less than the overall diameter of the lifter when the longitudinal segments 16 are in retracted position. When the lifter has been inserted into the roll core, the segments 16 are thrust radially outwardly by the admission of air (or liquid) under pressure into the inside tube 21 through the valve 32 as previously described. The pressure is allowed to be built up in the tube 21 until the force with which the segments 16 aremade to press against the core wall will be sufiicient to maintain the lifter in place in the roll when the entire weight of the rollis supported by the lifter. Preferably in order to aid the lifter in securing a better grip on the core wall, the outside surfaces of the segments 16 areknurled or roughened, as indicated at 40 in Figures 2 and 3, or are surfaced with any suitablelmaterial adapted to prevent slippage of the segments 16 on the corewall.

When the lifter is satisfactorily secured in the roll core anylifting device, capable of exerting sufficient lifting power to raise the roll, is then connected to the handle shackle 3,7 of the lifter. Thus, for example, a cable 43 (Figure 6) passing around an overhead pulley (not shown) or suspended from a crane, can be attached by an end hook 44 to the handle shackle 37 and used for rais-ing the roll. I

, The size of the roll lifter must, of course, be suitable for the size and weight of the rolls for which it is in.- tended to be used, but since a number of rolls of the same size are generally required to be moved from the same location, a single roll lifter can be used for each roll in a group of rolls in fairly quick succession, inasmuch as the inflating and deflating of the tube 21 in the '4. lifter will not require much time, nor will the employment of the roll lifter necessitate any special eifort or skill on the part of the operator.

Minor modifications could be made in the roll lifter, without departing from the principle of the invention. The number of the inner and outer segments 15 and 16 could be increased or decreased and minor modifications in the manner in which the tube 21 is mounted within the body of the lifter would also be possible. However, the manner in which the lifter has been illustrated and described is considered the preferred manner of carrying out the invention since the lifter in this form has been found to be very satisfactory.

I claim:

1. In a lifter of the character described, a tubular body, ahead member secured on one end of said tubular body, an inner end member removably secured to and closing the other end of said body, an inflatable tube of flexible expandable material positioned within said body and extending approximately the entire length of said body, the inner end of said tube closed and removably located in said inner endmeinber, the other end of said tube located in said head member, a channel extending through said head member, sealing means for said other end of said tube in said head member, said sealing means including a connection attached to said other end of said tube, said connection positioned in said channel, valve means for said tube in said connection, a plurality of identical inner longitudinal segments within said tubular body surrounding said tube, corresponding outer longitudinal segments on the outside of said tubular body in radial alignment with said inner segments respectively, a plurality of elements securing each inner segment to, but spaced from the corresponding outer segment, the spacing between such inner and outer segments being greater than the thickness of the wall of said tubular body, said tubular body having holes in which said elements are radially slidable, whereby said inner and therewith said outer segments may be moved from normal retracted position to extended position by the expansion of said inner tube, and means on said head member for connecting the lifter to a load raising mechanism.

2. In a lifter for a roll having an open hollow core, a tubular body, the length of said body being less than the length of said roll, a head member secured on one end of said tubular body, an inner end member secured to and closing theother end of said body, an inflatable tube of rubber positioned within said body and extending approximately the entire leu gth of said body, means sealing the inner end of said tube located in said inner end member, the other end of said tube located in said head member, a channel extending through said head member, sealing means for said other end of said tube in said head member, said sealing means including a connection attached to said other end of said tube and extendns r g sa ha n a e m ans fo sa d t b n said connection, a plurality of identical inner longitudinal segments within said tubular body surrounding said tube, corresponding outer longitudinal segments on the outside of said tubular body in radial alignment with said inner segments respectively, a plurality of elements securing each inner segment to but spaced from the corresponding outer segment, the spacing between such inner'and outer segments being greater than the thiclgness of the wall of said tubular body, said tubular body having holes in which said elements are radially slidable, whereby said inner and therewith said outer segments may be moved from normal retracted position to extended position by the expansion of said inner tube, the outer faces of said outer segments defining a surface of less diameter than said core when said segments are in retracted position but a surface of greater diameter than said core when said segmentsare in fully extended position, and-means carried by said head member for connecting the lifter to a load raising mechanism.

3. In a lifter of the character described for a roll having an open hollow core, a tubular body, the length of said body being considerably less than the length of said roll, a head member secured on one end of said tubular body, the maximum diameter of said head member being greater than the diameter of said core, an inner end member secured to and closing the other end of said body, the maximum diameter of said inner end member being less than the diameter of said core, a tube of flexible expandable material positioned within said body and extending approximately the entire length of said body, means sealing the inner end of said tube removably located in said inner end member, the other end of said tube located in said head member, sealing means for said other end of said tube in said head member, said sealing means including a channel extending through said head member, a connection attached to said other end of said tube, said connection extending through said channel, valve means for said tube in said connection, a plurality of identical inner longitudinal segments within said tubular body surrounding said tube, corresponding outer longitudinal segments on the outside of said tubular body in radial alignment with said inner segments respectively, a plurality of elements securing each inner segment to but spaced from the corresponding outer segment, the spacing between such inner and outer segments being greater than the thickness of the wall of said tubular body, said tubular body having holes in which said elements are radially slidable, whereby said inner and therewith said outer segments may be moved from normal retracted position to extended position by the expansion of said inner tube, the outer faces of said outer segments defining a surface of less diameter than said core when said segments are in retracted position but a surface of greater diameter than said core when said segments are in extended position, the outer faces of said outer segments having a tough surfacing, and means carried by said head member for connecting the lifter to a load raising mechanism.

4. A lifter for a roll having an open hollow core, said lifter including a tubular body, the length of said body not exceeding one half the length of said roll, a head member secured on one end of said tubular body, the maximum diameter of said head member being greater than the diameter of said core, an inner end member removably secured to the other end of said body the maximum diameter of said inner end member being less than the diameter of said core, an inflatable tube of flexible expandable material positioned within said body and extending approximately the entire length of said body, the inner end of said tube closed and located in said inner end member, the other end of said tube located in said head member, a channel extending through said head member,

sealing means for said other end of said tube in said head member, said sealing means including a connection on said other end of said tube, said connection extending through said channel, valve means for said tube in said connection, a plurality of identical inner longitudinal segments within said tubular body surrounding said tube, corresponding outer longitudinal segments: on the outside of said tubular body in radial alignment with said inner segments respectively, a plurality of elements securing each inner segment to but spaced from the corresponding outer segment, the spacing between such inner and outer segments being greater than the thickness of the wall of said tubular body, said tubular body having holes in which said elements are radially slidable, whereby said inner and therewith said outer segments may be moved from normal retracted position to extended position by the expansion of said inner tube, the outer faces of said outer segments defining a surface of less diameter than said core when said segments are in retracted position but a surface of greater diameter than said core when said segments are in extended position, the outer faces of said outer segments having a rough surfacing, and means on said head member for connecting the lifter to a load raising mechanism.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,290,409 Cuthill July 21, 1942 

